Adalberto Vazquez Gomez ran in a triathlon in support for autism awareness this summer, raising money in support of his niece, who suffers from acute autism. This triathlon takes place every summer, and this is the fourth year that Adalberto Vazquez Gomez has participated. The past two years, he has organized a group of his coworkers to help raise the money and spread awareness.

Adalberto Vazquez Gomez has watched his niece and many others struggle with autism for years, and is thrilled to be able to continue to support research into the field, both through monetary donations and by raising awareness in his local community.

“Autism is a lot more prevalent in today’s world than people realize,” Adalberto Vazquez Gomez says. “And it’s completely manageable, so long as you have the proper education about it. Knowing what someone is experiencing can make a world of difference when you’re trying to help them.”

The triathlon has been growing exponentially in recent years as more and more of the population is being made aware of autism. It is no longer uncommon to know someone who is autistic, or to have an autistic family member. Adalberto Vazquez Gomez has high hopes for the work the triathlon and other organizations are doing – through their efforts, the general population is less likely to greet autism with apprehension, or even hostility. Rather, people are more willing than ever to open themselves up to learning about the condition, and to making friends they didn’t know they could have.

“I participate for my niece,” Adalberto Vazquez Gomez says, referring to his 12-year-old niece, who was diagnosed four years ago. “But it’s important to remember that autism does not only affect children. Those children grow up. And adults living with autism need that same support and care. This triathlon is for them, too.”

Adalberto Vazquez Gomez plans to continue participating in the triathlon for many more years to come. He also looks forward to continuing to involve more of his coworkers and business associates in the event. This is a trend of many companies and organizations that are looking to promote healthy living and a sense of camaraderie amongst their employees.